Noting the menace of overcrowding in Delhi Metro, which is expected to rapidly increase with the odd-even scheme being implemented by the Delhi government starting from January 1, 2016, Ministry of Women and Child Development has recommended increasing number of coaches especially reserved for women in the existing fleet of trains.
Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Sanjay Gandhi on Monday said: “There have several cases being reported to us about the overcrowding in Delhi Metro. Also the fact that the special coach for women is right at the end of the fleet, which causes a lot of inconvenience to the female passengers as they cannot reach that compartment immediately to board it. I am going to write to the Ministry of Urban Development and also Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) regarding the issue.
“The number of coaches dedicated to women passengers should be increased from one to three. With the existing coach at one end, I will be asking for one in the middle and the other at the other end of the train.”
The Delhi Metro, as per the present rules, keeps one coach, either the first or the last one, reserved only for women passengers during transit.
“Metro trains are getting too crowded every single day making it very difficult for women passengers to travel in them. It is very tough for women to be able to reach the first coach and get onto the reserved compartment. It should either be in the middle or at both ends of the train. We will be writing a letter to the DMRC chief and also Urban Development Ministry requesting this to be implemented,” said Gandhi.
She said the ministry will request to DMRC to provide one reserved coach at both the ends of the trains, if possible.
“There should be one at the rear and one at the front, if possible, otherwise it should be placed in the middle of the trains so that it is easier for women to board it,” she added.